APIA'S ARAPUNI.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 7

APIA'S ARAPUNI.

HYDRO-ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

MOUNTAIN STREAM TAPPEDk

WQRK NEARING COMPLETION.

High on the hills behind Apia work is now in progress to harness the turbulent Vaisigano Rivet, to supply hydroelectrical energy for Samoa, and it Iβ expected that the scheme will be in. operation about Christmastime.

For many years the possibility of tapping one of the mountain streams of Samoa for the production of electrical energy had been under consldera* tion, and finally the Vaisigano River was selected. The -plans that were prepared, having been approved by the Public Works Department of New Zealand, tenders. are now being called for the necessary plant. The work hae gone on under the supervision of the Government engineering and transport department at Apia, and steady headr way has been made during the past six months. The power-house machinery is now almost ready, 4000 feet of piping has been laid, and there is still about another 2000 feet to be placed in position.

■At a high altitude a weir has been constructed on the Vaisigano River, and lower down is an impounding dam. Pipes will lead to the power-house site, which is in a fairly wide valley about a mile from Apia. It is estimated that the plant will produce much more power than* ■will be needed on the island for a long time to come. Simultaneously with the work at the headwaters and at the power-house, reticulation is proceeding in order that everything will be ready when the power is switched on. The Apia hydro scheme has the distinction of being the only one in the South Sea islands on a large scale, and cheap power is expected to do much in the direction of developing the commercial interests of Samoa.